New critical technology supply protection plan released 

The federal government has released a draft of voluntary principles aimed at protecting critical technologies in Australia and their supply chains.  

The Department of Home Affairs have recently developed a draft called Critical Technology Supply Chain Principles which are intended to “help Australian business consider the unforeseen risks when developing critical technologies, building business resilience.” 

The suggested Principles are based on three pillars: security-by-design, transparency, and autonomy and integrity. These critical technologies can be digital, such as AI andquantum computing, or non-digital, such as synthetic biology. 

The department said that knowing the risks and asking the right questions are the first steps in creating trusted and secure technology supply chains. 

“Advances in technology underpin our future prosperity, however they also expose our nation to more risks… One way to address these risks is to consider the supply chains of critical technologies, and how these could be made more secure,” said the department.  

Part of the principles highlight understanding what needs to be protected in the supply chain, why it needs to be protected, raising awareness of its security risks, communicating transparency requirements and building trusted and strategic relationships with suppliers.  

The principles also complement the Protecting Critical Infrastructure and Systems of National Significance reforms, the goal of which aims to protect the supply of essential services in Australia.  

The department is now seeking feedback through a series of questions in the paper to make sure that the final set of principles easy to apply. All responses will be reviewed in partnership with the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources. 

Submissions will close on Thursday, 12 November 2020.  

Source: Department of Home Affairs